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As many of you know, I am not a fan of the public school system, so my children are attending a small private Montessori school. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but now that my oldest son has been in Montessori school for 3 years, I may become a Montessori evangelist. I have seen kids who do not test as “Gifted and Talented” but perform at the mid-college level across all subjects by 12 years old – too many for it to be a coincidence. What is even more amazing is that these schools seem to produce an uncanny number of professional athletes and entrepreneurs as well. Kids are capable of far more than we expect from them and they are happier when we allow them to learn and grow unimpeded. I highly recommend you watch this story if you are interested in non-traditional educational choice. Here are some of the highlights:

  • Montessori is not a religion
  • It’s for all children – not just gifted or special needs children
  • The whole key to it is the children are in charge of their own process. The adults have to inspire them, guide them, but get out of the way
  • They are free to choose which activities to pursue and to determine how long they wish to pursue them. The adults in the room simply offer ‘demonstrations’ aimed at spurring the child’s interest
  • Montessori is about real work
  • To see that goodness in the joy in physical work and the joy in nature
  • They are not taught to regard teachers as ultimate authority figures and Montessori kids feel free to be critical
  • Montessori’s vision was really world peace

I look forward to the day when non-government educational choice is available to all children. The answer to our problems is not more government, the answer is more freedom.